Upper Saddle River is a member of the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission (NWBRHC). As one of three commission towns, Upper Saddle River is an integral part of this organization. Seven other contracting municipalities comprise the commission.

     The Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission provides more comprehensive services than could be provided independently by the Borough. Full time personnel including a New Jersey State Licensed Health Officer, Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitary Inspector, Office Manager/Registrar, and a Principal Clerk/Deputy Registrar staff the commission office.

     The Board of Health and the Regional Health Commission meet five times per year to review septic and health inspections, monitor health complaints, and discuss relevant and current health issues. A rabies clinic is held annually and is well attended.

2008 Meeting Dates

Members

Joanne Minichetti Dr. Stephen Sabo Vincent Durante Andrew Collier Dr. Ruth Cross Deborah Viola Angela Musella Gary Cochran Patricia Hayden Gail Brunner Steve Shayne

President Vice President Member Member Member Council Liaison Health Officer Environmental Health Specialist Registrar Part-time Inspector Part-time Inspector

Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission

Contact Information:

20 Prospect Street
Waldwick, NJ
(201) 445-7217
Fax (201) 445-7219
nwbrhc01@bellatlantic.net

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

      Health Inspections: The most visible job of the Health Department is to inspect restaurants and food establishments for cleanliness and proper food handling and storage. The Health Officer gives a course to food industry personnel on safe food handling procedures. If you have questions about food safety and sanitation in your own kitchen check out the following websites: Food and Drug Administration and Food and Safety Inspection Services of the USDA. Current recalls are also listed there.

      Septic Systems: Anything related to septic systems comes through this office. Any complaints of septic overflow or odor are investigated and handled in the best interest of public health. If you have a septic system, it is wise to have it pumped every 2-3 years for a family of 4. Also, water conservation goes a long way to extend the life of your septic. There is great information on septic systems at the state website.

     Well Testing:

• Since September 2002, the Private Well Testing Act has been in effect. For real estate transactions of properties with wells, a comprehensive test must be done by a certified laboratory. We have a list of labs that perform this test in northern Bergen County. The above website also lists labs, but we contacted many labs from the state list and very few serve our area.
• Several times during the year, the Commission offers a 4-part well water test for the following: Bacteria, Nitrates, Lead, and Volatile Organics (carcinogens). The cost is $200.00, which is well below the cost for the Private Well Testing Act test, BUT it does not test for everything required by the state for real estate transactions. This document is our first source for well water information, which has a lot of information but it is technical and rather dry.

      Perchlorate in Well Water - Some Helpful Facts: Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made chemical. It is used in a wide variety of industrial processes and pyrotechnics. Wastes from the manufacture and improper disposal of perchlorate-containing chemicals are increasingly being found in soil and water. Article continues here <click> ....

     West Nile Virus:

• Property maintenance as it pertains to health and sanitation is also our responsibility. For the past few years West Nile virus has been a major concern in Bergen County. Stagnant water often found in unclean swimming pools and ponds offers a breeding ground for mosquitoes, the carriers of the virus. The state has an informative website for the disease and easy steps for residents to take to protect themselves from this disease. Information about West Nile Virus can be found here, on the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services web site. From May to November residents call here to notify us of dead crows in town. We try to pick up any crow that can be submitted to the state labs for testing. Unfortunately most crows have already deteriorated beyond the testable stage. We are part of the state reporting system that records and pinpoints bird sightings for future tracking and research. Manpower to actually pick up birds is limited, but we are able to report all dead crows to the state.
• Overgrowth and weeds are not only unsightly but provide harborage for rodents and other animals. They are a contributing factor to West Nile Virus too. Debris and garbage also contribute to these problems. The Commission office in Waldwick has a Hav-a-Heart trap for humanely trapping animals. We loan it out to residents for free, with a $50.00 refundable deposit while it is in your possession. We also have a fact sheet on rodent abatement.

      Lyme disease is on the rise and we have information in our office on ticks and Lyme disease. Many informative websites exist for Lyme disease. The American Lyme Disease Foundation and Lymenet, a New Jersey organization, offer information, resources and support.

      Avian Flu Information:

• Home & Family Preparedness Information from Bergen County Department of Health Services <click>...
• From Upper Saddle River Health Department: Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and available flu vaccines do not protect against avian flu. Article continues here <click> ....

      Rabies exists in New Jersey and the health department works to keep it out of the area. The borough requires licenses for its dogs and cats. Upper Saddle River hosts an annual rabies clinic at the firehouse in the fall. A current rabies inoculation is necessary for licensure. And your pet needs a rabies inoculation every two years.

      Health Education: Residents should keep in mind, that there is a Health Educator from Bergen Community Health Care available to speak to local groups on a variety of health topics. Programming is available for all ages. To speak with the Health Educator, Ronnie Morris, call (201) 358-2666.

      For Health information there are many good websites that have information on health and wellness, diseases, smoking, bio-terrorism and more.

• The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Information for Healthy Living
• Centers for Disease Control website has a wealth of information covering many topics. We highly recommend its travel information because it is current and up to date. For your travel questions go to to CDC's travel section.

Other Useful Websites

• Bergen County Office of Emergency Management
• Bergen County Department of Health Services
• Poison Control Information
• MSDS information
• Of interest to Seniors:
  • AARP
  • National Institute on Aging

"PATH TO FITNESS" Walking Program

Calling all walkers! Be sure to stop by the Board of Health to sign up for our new walking program, the Path to Fitness. Children, families, senior citizens or teams comprised of neighborhoods or local organizations can participate without a fee. You can also sign up at Boro hall or download the registration form here. Don't wait - participants will be limited to the first 250.

Each participant will receive a pedometer, a walking log and a T-shirt. Just get out and walk and record your progress. In June 2008 we'll be having a follow up meeting to recognize our most dedicated participants.

It's simple and fun. Walking can be done anywhere but the new track at Lions Field will be ready this fall, why not give it a try?

Federal guidelines suggest Americans engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight. A doctor's okay is always recommended before embarking on a new exercise program.

• To avoid chronic health problems, engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual activity, on most days of the week.
• For most people, greater health benefits can be obtained by engaging in physical activity of more vigorous intensity or longer duration.
• To prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain in adulthood, engage in approximately 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.

Click Here to Download Registration Form

You may also for more information

Record your Path to Fitness progress online at Walker Tracker